St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Chorley

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 20 June 2023

Pupils are proud to attend this school. They feel well supported and valued in a warm and caring learning community. Pupils enjoy learning and playing together, and everyone is made to feel welcome. Staff and pupils embody the school's values. Pupils' talents are nurtured well. Leaders have high aspirations and expectations of pupils' behaviour and achievement. Pupils are determined to live up to these expectations. Pupils behave well in lessons and around school. Typically, they learn well. Pupils know that staff will respond sensitively to any worries or problems that they may have. When bullying does occur, staff act quickly to resolve it. This helps pupils to feel safe and happy. Leaders provide pupils with an extensive and ambitious enrichment programme to foster their wider interests and talents. For example, pupils talked excitedly about 'building the kingdom' opportunities, which include bushcraft, yoga, climbing and gardening. All pupils engage in a wide range of extra-curricular activities. Pupils are inspired by a wealth of exciting visits and trips which broaden their horizons. For example, pupils have visited the office of their local member of Parliament. Pupils also appreciate the diverse range of visitors to the school who speak to them about topical issues. All of these exceedingly well-designed activities encourage pupils to have high aspirations for their futures.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, leaders are in the process of refining what pupils must learn. This means that, on occasion, some pupils do not make sure enough connections between different topics and concepts. Leaders should ensure that they finalise their curriculum thinking in these remaining subjects. This is so that pupils develop a deep and rich body of subject knowledge.

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